Grape-Nuts Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

8 large green bell peppers, or a variety of colors (peppers should be short and wide, rather than long)

Filling:

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 cup Grape Nuts cereal

15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh off the cob, frozen, or canned)

8 ounce can tomato sauce

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 chipotle pepper packed in adobo sauce, minced

1 Tablespoon adobo sauce from the chipotle can

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Topping:

2 Tablespoons Grape-Nuts cereal

2 Tablespoon pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)

2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off the stem and part of the top of the bell peppers to form a cup. Scrape out the seeds and ribs. Using a 12-cup muffin tin, place 1 Tablespoon of water in 8 of the cups. Place a bell pepper cup on top of each cup filled with water; set aside.

For Filling: In a large mixing bowl, stir together all filling ingredients and mix well. Spoon and pack in filling mixture into each bell pepper cup; set aside.

For Topping: Place Grape-Nuts and pumpkin seeds in a plastic closeable bag; seal bag shut. Using a rolling pin, coarsely crush the cereal and seeds. Sprinkle each pepper evenly with the mixture. Bake peppers for 40 minutes, then remove from oven and top each with some grated cheddar cheese. Return to oven for 4-5 minutes or until cheese melts. Carefully remove peppers from muffin cups and serve. Serves 8.